Frequently Asked Questions

How do I commission a Mural or Faux Finish?
I am adept in many different styles of painting, and will come to your home or office for a free consultation to discuss your ideas for the project. I welcome any pictures, photos or magazine clippings of images we can base the design on. Digital photos and measurements will be taken of the space to be decorated.

Next a detailed proposal of the project is submitted by mail. It will show all supply and labor costs for the project. Upon approval, the proposal is signed and returned and becomes your invoice and work contract with Diana Langell. An initial deposit of 30% of the total is due along with the signed contract. A detailed color rendering will then be made incorporating all the elements discussed. This process can take 1 to 3 weeks to complete.

Upon final approval of the design, a start date will be scheduled for your custom mural. Color changes or revisions in design must be discussed, and those changes resulting in any additional labor or material costs shall have a signed Change Order on file.

Do you have samples I can look at to give me ideas?
Yes, my portfolio has several sample projects for you to review. I also have several wonderful reference books, articles and clippings to provide you with inspiration. Based on the client's description, an original mural design or wall finish can be created exclusively for them.

What are the advantages of a Faux Finish?
A Faux Finish never peels, has no repeat patterns; its washable, durable and has no seams. It is customized to your existing color scheme and cost-effective. Textured finishes can hide wall surface flaws. Faux finish adds dimension and interest to any decor. It can be applied to various surfaces such as plaster, drywall, wood, metal, leather or PVC.

How do you charge?
Hand-painted furniture/fixtures and murals are priced according to size of the piece and amount of detail. My rate is $50 per/hr in the studio, and $70 per/hr on-site, plus the cost of materials. The fee for faux finishing is based on two factors - the total square footage times the number of steps involved to create the desired finish, plus the cost of materials. Contact me for a free estimate on your custom project.

Can you customize a sample board according to my preferences?
Absolutely, this is part of the process. A sample board will be made in the client's color palette and desired finish so they can look at it their room in natural light and incandescent light to be certain of their selection. There is no extra charge for these samples, and they will be included with your proposal.

Do your paint products leave an odor?
In most cases, no. We use water-based, nontoxic products that have little to no odor. Some texture media have a slight odor that fades away after curing.

Can a textured finish be changed easily?
A paint/glaze finish applied to look like texture such as parchment, suede, rag rolling, sponging, color washes or a dry brushed effect can be updated by simply painting over it. Heavy texturing with plaster or other three dimensional applications can be more time consuming to sand down, please consider this when choosing a faux finish technique.

Can you remove existing wallpaper?
No, I do not provide this service. A professional wallpaper sub-contractor would be better suited for this job.

What should I do to prepare for my project?
Walls need to be in good condition - fill any nail holes or cracks with drywall compound or paintable caulk. Also furniture should be moved from the walls.

How do I get my project scheduled?
A job is scheduled by signing a work contract and making a 30% deposit to reserve the days needed to complete the job.